18/03/2026
IT'S A SYSTEM.
Most of you voted hearing as the top factor and you're on to something. But the truth is, speech isn't just one thing. It's a three-part system where every piece relies on the others to work.
Think of speech like building a house 🏠. If one part of the building crew is missing, the project stalls.
1.👂 Hearing: The foundation.
Hearing is where speech begins. Children don't study speech or language, they absorb it.
The input
They hear, store and eventually imitate sounds.
The risk
If the input is distorted (even temporarily, like fluid in the ear from an ear infection), the "blueprint" in their brain becomes fuzzy.
Bottom line
Strong auditory input is the non-negotiable first step.
2. 👅 Tongue position: The mechanics
Once the brain knows the sound the mouth has to build it.
The action
The tongue shapes the airflow into clear speech sounds. If the movement or resting posture is off then the sounds may not come out clearly.
The distinction
Incorrect tongue position affects speech clarity, but it does not stop language development. A child can have a excellent vocabulary and understanding even if they struggle to say /r/ or /k/.
3. 💬 Interaction: The feedback loop
Speech does not develop in isolation. It grows through connection.
The practise
Children learn to talk through real life "give and take" interactions. This is how they learn that their sounds have meaning.
The screen time reality
It is not about the "what" and "how long". It's about what gets replaced. When a screen is on the child misses out on:
❌ Joint attention - looking at the same thing together.
❌ Recasting - hearing an adult repeat their "tat" as "cat".
❌ Active listening - listening to understand not just hear.
ALL THREE MATTER, JUST IN DIFFERENT WAYS.
Unsure which area your child might need support in? Comment below or send me a direct message Let's figure out the next step together 💚.
